And with all due respect, I'm not poo-pooing their efforts, but suggesting obsessive target fixation is unhealthy and will catch up with them eventually when they either start getting old or ill, leaving them disillusioned and bereft if they don't get over it, come to terms with their own mortality and rejoice - you're not getting out of this alive! If you want to chase targets for a while, enjoy it, but there's more to cycling than that.
Targets are just that, targets. If I want to challenge myself to ride an average of 20mph on a chosen route, once or even every ride, then that's up to me. Do I think I am better than anyone else? No. Do I have a ticker sharing that? Presently, no. Have I had one in the past? Yes, when VeloViewer was free. If I only achieve 18mph, then am I the same as someone who has also achieved 18mph, but were targeting themselves for 16mph? Maybe, but depends on the effort put in and the realism of both parties target.
Targets also change, on a daily, weekly or even yearly basis. Doesn't mean that we will suffer when we can't hit the same target as previously.
In reality, nobody should be ridiculing anyone else. We should all allow each other to challenge themselves in the manner they want to and accept that we are not all the same.
As for disabilities, there is no reason why anyone who has to consider a challenging personal situation to not be able to set themselves a challenge. It might not be the same challenge as someone else, but there are always people faster or slower irrespective of disability. I respect anyone who sets themselves a challenge and achieves it. Albeit, Steven Abraham with a 75k mile challenge (over proper terrain, not on the flat like someone else) or someone, who has never ridden before, striving to do their first 5 mile ride.
We should all be encouraging not judging.
